Deep Creek Dam (Tumbarumba, New South Wales)
Deep Creek Dam is a major ungated concrete gravity dam across the Deep Creek in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. The dam's main purpose is for the generation of hydro-power and is the smallest of the sixteen major dams that comprise the Snowy Mountains Scheme, a vast hydroelectricity and irrigation complex constructed in south-east Australia between 1949 and 1974 and now run by Snowy Hydro.
| Deep Creek Dam | |
|---|---|
  Location of Deep Creek Dam in New South Wales | |
| Location | Snowy Mountains, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 36°00′35.7″S 148°20′37.2″E |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1961 |
| Owner(s) | Snowy Hydro |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Gravity dam |
| Impounds | Deep Creek |
| Height | 21.3 metres (70 ft) |
| Length | 54.9 metres (180 ft) |
| Dam volume | 4,080 cubic metres (144,000 cu ft) |
| Spillways | 1 |
| Spillway type | Uncontrolled |
| Spillway capacity | 312 cubic metres per second (11,000 cu ft/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Deep Creek Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 11 megalitres (390×103 cu ft) |
| Catchment area | 9.68 square kilometres (3.74 sq mi) |
| Surface area | 2 hectares (4.9 acres) |
The impounded reservoir is called the Deep Creek Reservoir.
Location and features
Completed in 1961, Deep Creek Dam is a major dam, located within the Snowy Valleys local government area. The dam was constructed based on engineering plans developed under contract by the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority.[1]
The dam wall comprising 4,000 cubic metres (140,000 cu ft) of concrete is 21 metres (69 ft) high and 55 metres (180 ft) long. At 100% capacity the dam wall holds back 11 megalitres (390×103 cu ft) of water. The surface area of Deep Creek Reservoir is 2 hectares (4.9 acres) and the catchment area is 9.68 square kilometres (3.74 sq mi). The uncontrolled spillway is capable of discharging 312 cubic metres per second (11,000 cu ft/s).[1][2]
Above the dam wall some water is diverted into the Tooma - Tumut Aqueduct Tunnel along with 4 other Intakes on the Aqueduct Tunnel for use in the 5 Tumut River Hydroelectric Power Station System.
Below the dam wall, Deep Creek flows into the Tooma River, before emptying into the Murray River within the Murray-Darling basin.
See also
References
- "Register of Large Dams in Australia" (Excel (requires download)). Dams information. The Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated. 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- "Dams". Snowy Mountains Scheme. Snowy Hydro. Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
External links
- Bevitt, R.; Erskine, W.; Gillespie, G.; Harriss, J.; Lake, P.; Miners, B.; Varley, I. (May 2009). "Expert panel environmental flow assessment of various rivers affected by the Snowy Mountains Scheme" (PDF). NSW Department of Water and Energy. ISBN 978-0-7347-5656-5.
